Penicuik, 9am, Aug 27th, 2011. Mike Brooks and I left Penicuik with some trepidation as it was drizzling and the cloud was down. Our spirits did NOT rise at Grangemouth when the heavens really opened. However, as we neared Stirling, the Ochils appeared in all their beauty (tops free of cloud) – sudden hope blossomed that perhaps the day ahead would not end up with us being completely soaked and lost.

We did get a little lost trying to find Stirling University as ALL roads were closed due to a tree being cut down. The police were not aware that a race was on.

The Ochil2000s is officially a 28km (1500m) race from the eastern central part of the Ochils (Glen Devon) to Stirling University near the Bridge of Allan. At the end of the race, my watch said 31.5km (1300m). Despite this disagreement, it is certainly on par with the Two Breweries and Pentland Skyline.

The race has bipolar disorder. For those who have run Maddy Moss, Dollar or Run of the Mills, the first half of the Ochil2000s is very runnable and with nice relatively firm and even paths. In fact, by the mid-point (and high point, Ben Cleuch), my mind was mentally comparing my time with my Skyline pace and I was well on track for under four hours especially as the rest of the race was downhill. However, after the next peak (Ben Buck), the paths disappeared and the quality of the terrain deteriorated alarmingly. Now we knew why other runners always run this race slower than Skyline. The 2 kms after Ben Ever were a never ending peat bog – nothing like what we see on Black Hill in the Pentlands – No, this was a terrain of knee deep sphagnum swamps with eroded peat of a good 1 meter in height that one had to jump down and climb out. You can imagine that after over 2 hours of running, this was not a pleasant experience and for me at least, this was the end of any significant strength and cramps set in when I inevitably tripped. Finally, dry land was again reached at the penultimate hill (Blairdennon). Although drier, the next 4 kms, which was mostly downhill, was a tussocky nightmare where running, with tired legs, was extremely difficult. What looks like an easy descent on the map, was an excruciating stumbling mess and went on and on. At around 3hrs 20 mins, I reached the valley before the last ascent up Dumyat – the steepest gradient of the whole race. You can imagine how this felt. Even getting to the top did not feel that good as there was still the final 4kms to go. The final descent to Stirling University was a well worn track from fell top through woodland. Although “marked” it was quite hard to follow and see the markings especially in the wood which was very loose and muddy in places.

In the end, I completed the race in 4.11. Mike did it in about 3.40 while the winning time was 2.47 (respect!).

Will I do this again…..of course I will. I am sure I can shave off 11 minutes with a little more training and NOT taking 3 bloody litres of water with me which I only drank half of.

However, the second half is REALLY tough, and if the cloud had been down, it would also have been extremely difficult to navigate. Mike and I can at least thank the weather gods that the conditions were nigh near perfect. Mike says that compared to the Breweries and Skyline, this is easily the hardest of the three.

So ? see you at the Breweries.

Rob

My 16th Half and 4th visit to Haddington. Yes it is a bit hilly and yes it was rather hot but a great atmosphere, beautiful countryside (through fields and along green leafy tunnels), highly visible mile markers, medals, good sandwiches and tea afterwards. Harriers well respresented (if you exclude my pedestrian effort) – Duncan, you are so quick ! (1:28:34), Gordon, congratulations on a fantastic new PB (1:38:54), Kevin, a highly respectable run (1:46:05) and me, I did avoid the dreaded 120 barrier but not by lot – a time I’d rather forget but a run I like to remember ! It’s my way of starting an autumn season where I need to keep up this kind of distance (and more) if I’m going to take part in the Ceilidh run next April (Highland Fling).

Two new Hill Races which may be of interest.
First off – Callandar, run as part of the Towns Highland Games, a rather unique experience and a run that had it all, trails, hills, roads and even a river section and not on the bank. It was advertised as 10k ish, very ish and I clocked it at 8.7 miles.
Started in the games ring by the Games M.C and cheering crowd, what a strange sight it must have been scrawny hill runners surrounded by giants in kilts throwing big weights about.
I managed 9th place my first top ten finish, I must have gained a few minutes with MRS B’s,” I’m not hanging around here all day” ringing in my ear. (Mrs B, Yeh, think of a muddy field with lots of shows and loud rubbish pop music) !
However there was only ever going to be one winner when you see Prasad Prasad on the start line.

Onto Selkirk, organised by a group of enterprising mums in aid of Selkirk Play Park Project, I guess you’re more likely to get funds out of a bunch of runners than the Council.
Started off last year as a 4 mile event, this year saw a 7 mile option which drew a decent turn out of 85 runners. Registration etc in the newly tarted up Selkirk Rugby Club, race start was a short walk away.
First three miles steady up hill and runnable just, topped out at the Three Bretheren, obelisks marking a high point on the Southern Upland Way, then a Gallop over Foolshiels and Harehead Hill, finishing back at the Start point.
Runnable the whole way, Hot Showers afterwards, decent nose bag and a worthy glow having contributed to a good cause- Whats not to like?!

Kevin Anderson and Gordon Campbell were representing Penicuik at this fifth road grand-prix race.

The conditions were perfectly great with sunshine, mild and calm air.

Runners lined up in the starting pen in the grounds of Loretto school playing fields. The starting gun went off at 10:30 which took a few runners by surprise and we were off over the timing chip mats. A lap of the playing field then out towards the streets of Musselburgh. I did not spot Kevin at the start but Dave Cairns and family shouted us on from over the wall from the school grounds at the parkland tarmac path we were on, so I knew he was not far behind. The Marshalls were organised and helped point out the route very well which was reassuring. Round about 3.5K on the road section I was overtaken by Kevin who remained in visual distance. Then on from the roads to more parkland areas. From there was a nice cool but slightly pongy breeze as we left the parkland area to run along the rough coastal track with cooling air. Lots of Bird watchers were out with there telescopes gazing across the forth. Then on to the board walks felt springy under foot as we ran through the nature reserve area. A hydration relief from the water station with helpful helpers to make sure we got our bottle of water with the lid off, which was great.

The next section was my favourite with the grass of the Race Course. The drink of water gave me my second wind together with short good to firm grass was the perfect combination with the great weather. I was off and started to overtake runners for the remainder of the race. I think I did very well from there on as no one over took me and I even managed to overtake Kevin to my surprise. Over the timing chip mat and helpers were out in force to make sure we got our goodie bag and ice cream cone which was an original and refreshing idea as it was hotter after the race and that was not from just running. The cakes and tea in the building was very well laid out and presented. The organisers went to great lengths to make sure us runners were kept happy.

There was only two points that may need improvement for next year to this otherwise well run and organised race, which I will say now since I did not see a feedback form. The first was very minor, that I could not hear what was being said at the presentations since there was a big crowd of us runners and no voice amplification. The second was more serious being that there was only one sit down toilet only for us bloke runners. Not the kind of situation you want with a long line of runners waiting for it 5-10 minutes before the start of the race!. According to a lady who said that they had the gents toilets, Please give us the male toilets with the other changing room for next year. That would keep things equal as public toilets towards the town centre should not count as an extra facility. I should however end this write up to this otherwise very professionally and well executed race by saying that the times for the runners were very fast due to the excellent course layout and helpful marshalls.

Gordon

I saw very little of the race since I was confined to the start/finish field looking after two of my grandchildren. It was a fine evening and 3 Harriers completed the race, Paul Pollard in 15th place, followed by Kevin Anderson 22nd and Chris Downie 31^st. Janice Smith, running for HBT, was 36^th.

There were two juniors running, who turned at the wall crossing, but what disturbed me was that there was no marshal to turn the juniors. Fortunately they got back down OK. It’s one thing sending experienced athletes onto the hill to look after themselves…… but very young juniors!

The other thing which struck me was that, despite an entry fee of £4, the prizes consisted of 2 very small bottles of beer and 4 smallish bags of sweets. As a consistent non-prize winner, prizes or the lack of them, don’t really bother me; but….!

There is a race at Turnhouse next Wednesday. Could I suggest to any parents contemplating allowing their children to participate, that they check with the organisers that their children will be safely looked after up the hill.

BillB

21 July 2011

Some photos in the gallery

Instead of doing the June Handicap, I left my Harriers vest at home and ran as part of my work’s team (SASA) in the 5K challenge in Inverleith Park/Botanic Gardens.

Most of the team were new to running and competing in their first race, so it was strange to for once be viewed as the fastest in the team!  The weather couldn’t have been better, as we geared up for the “warm up” led by a guy from Pure Gym who was dressed in green lycra!!  The warm up was hilarious with everything from running on the spot to swimming on the spot!!  Maybe a new addition to Harriers warm ups??

The race itself was chip timed and a nice scenic course, beginning in Inverleith, then crossing the road to the Botanics (where there were a few surprise sharp hills) then finishing in Inverleith.  The SASA emblazoned cotton t shirts were awful for running in (now I appreciate breathable fabrics a lot more) but overall I felt I ran well, finishing in 22.16 and 53rd place overall.  

I got a medal, a goody bag and then was sent an email with a horrific photo of me crossing the finish line!  I’ve never hit delete so quickly!

Susan

Eildon 2 Hills Race, 25^th June 2011

A great day at Melrose, unlike the last 3 or 4 years, it was merely slightly damp, the course was in great shape and 217 it. I understand the there were 220 starters but Sam Hesling from Carnethy, among others, failed to finish; he went off the second hill to the south and never reached the finish. It was all a bit unfortunate for him but it’s been done before; I know, I did the same thing last year but at least I got back to the finish. Susie Maxwell drew my attention to Sam’s plight, though she did put it rather unkindly – what she said to me this morning was “Now you’re not the only numpty”. That‘s a comforting thought.

But to the race itself: Murray Strain, HBT, won in 27m31s; Tracey Brindley, Ochil Hill Runners, was the first woman. Gordon Campbell in 164th position was first Penicuik Harrier, though in a strident Carnegie multi-coloured vest. Janice Smith, in a very dull brown HBT vest, in 191^st position, was the second of our current squad and Bill Bennet, in a tasteful long sleeved Penicuik T shirt, was the third Harrier in 212^th position. Full results can be found on the Scottish Hill Runners website.

It’s a great race, even when I eventually got back to Melrose, the streets were still crowded and the crowds cheering. All finishers received a tot glass, empty unfortunately, to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the first race up and down the Eildons. It was my 16^th completion of the Eildons. Put it in your racing plan for next year.

Bill B

Sunday saw the 32nd running of what must surely be the ultimate the urban race.

Where else but in Edinburgh could you have a 14 mile Road come Hill race.

Object is to run  the Seven Hills of Edinburgh in the follwing order; Castle Hill, Costorphine, Craiglockhart, Braids, Blackford, Arthur Seat.

And thats it how you get from one to the other is entirely up to you, many an urban myth about short cuts through gardens etc,

The Race Start and finishes on Calton Hill

Race split into Challenge starting 30 mins before race at 1015, 430 approx starters,

Mass stampede off Calton Hill and into the traffic quite empowering. Very muddy on the ascents, worse on the descents this year. I took a great tumble in the Hermitage and was filthy from top to toe a bit of a strange sight in a semi road race.

Felt strong toward the end hill running improving road running getting slower, finished in 2:04:22 and 47th overall

Nice little speread of goodies at the end particulary if your a quiche fan

,

Lots of Harriers turned out for this race and made up almost 10% of the entry, if we count past members, friends and husbands we were well over that!

All enjoyed the race especially once we hit the trail part of it, pretty muddy with a fab steep hill that let me catch up on Fran who then stuck with me ’til the field when she left me again.  It was pretty muggy so we were grateful for the water station(with cups).

No medals as advertised but if you mention it to Mike Pearson he will make you a special certificate!  Nice cake back at the Gytes for the prize-giving where we cheered Al Hart who was 2nd male – we cheered others too but especially Al.

Quick order of finishing with results below :- 7th Duncan, 15th Kenny, 20th Graham White(down as Smith), 36th Alistair Hind, 45th Chris D, 47th Susan, 52nd Chris Hilton, 60th Rachael, 70th Fran, 72nd Susie, 73rd Chris B & 78th Emma Billett.

Results are here

http://www.moorfootrunners.co.uk/Beltane%2010K%20Trail%20Race%202011%20Results.pdf

With some minor guilt I slipped out the back road from Penicuik to avoid the Parade and popped down to Broughton for the Broughton Heights race which was part of the UKA Inter Counties Fell/Hill Race Championships. This meant that the bulk of the runners were elite class so I had no expectations of trying to get any reasonable place.

In fact, since Gypsy Glen I had purposely run more than average last week to see how my legs would cope. Not a good idea in hindsight – I couldn’t sprint at the start and was not even close to 1^st place after 100m. I guess running with heavy legs is good practise for those longer races later in the year.

Broughton Heights is a new race and is similar to Carnethy 5 in elevation and distance:

Carnethy 5 – 9.14 kms and 628m

Broughton H – 10.55 kms and 591m

Weather was windy and mixed – one minute sunny and the next heavy showers. In fact it rained/hailed 20 minutes before the race started which got many people worried as to the appropriate clothing for the race. In the end it did not rain during the race and the wind helped more than hindered.

For those who have run Greenmantle Dash you would recognise the first kilometre as it is the reverse of GD. After that, the route deviates to a much more demanding course – see map.

Some of the ascents are quite steep, the worst being the quarter kilometre up to Hammer Head – it should be called Throbbing Thighs. However, the run down from Trahenna Hill was just great, particularly as Mike Pearson was doing an odd dance to spur me on. The final challenge was a final incline up to the finish which was not a lot of fun after running downhill for 2 kms.

Despite being way way down in the pack, my final time was 1:06:24 which is quicker than my best Carnethy 5 time, so not feeling grumpy at all.

Rob